We use the toilet daily, but human waste is not the only thing people have been known to flush down the toilet. Most of us have been guilty of flushing toys, food, and other small items at least once in our lives.

You may have been able to flush most of these items without any problems. But flushing anything besides human waste and toilet paper will cause plumbing problems. Read on to learn about 10 common household items that are most likely to cause clogs. Continue reading →

Another Midwestern winter is here, which means it’s freezing in Chicago. You’ve cranked up the heater, pulled out every blanket you could find, bundled up in a cozy sweater, and maybe even lit a warm fire. But if you’re like many Chicagoans, you wish your home could be a little warmer.

Unfortunately, making your home warmer often leads to higher energy bills. But there are several ways you can keep your home warm and toasty without draining your bank account. Here are 10 simple ways to help your heater help you this winter. Continue reading →

Posted inBlog|Comments Off on 10 Ways to Help Your Heater Help You This Winter

Lawn irrigation systems are an incredible value and asset to your yard and home.

Who has the time or desire to drag hoses around their front and rear yards every other day when they could be spending that time with their families. With an automatic irrigation system the property is taken care of and you have all that extra time to do what you want.

The system regulates what areas get watered, on which days, and how much each area gets watered. The system will control watering by adding the proper amounts to your garden or flowers daily, your sunny grass areas every other day and you shaded landscaping every few days. The watering rates and times are all customizable to meet each property need.

The custom design of the system will ensure that you aren’t wasting water. By watering only the area you need you will save water and money by not over sprinkling onto your sidewalks and driveways or forgetting to turn a hose off. When you’re on vacation the system takes care of your lawn for you. If it’s raining the system turns off to save you money. By watering the areas evenly you conserve water and reduce your water bills.

The deep green and thick grass, with accented colorful landscaping, will make you the envy of your neighbors and will increase the value of your home. You will not only gain the value of the system while you live at the home but will also receive a higher value for the home if you move.

Turn your property into the picturesque scenes from the home and garden magazines and put an irrigation system in today!

Protecting your water pipes is essential if you want to avoid water damage this winter. If you have ever wondered how frozen pipes can cause so much damage, take a look at this video.

When water is frozen, it expands. For example, if you leave an unopened water bottle in the freezer overnight, you can see how this process works. This offers you a preview of what could happen if your pipes freeze. Watch the video to see more.

To prevent your pipes from freezing this winter, call Bishop Plumbing of Chicago at (847) 960-3698. We have offered reliable plumbing services to Chicago-area residents since 1921. Learn more by calling us today.

Winter has a harsh effect on your pipes and can do a lot of serious damage if you and your plumber don’t prepare. This article will tell you how cold weather can affect your pipes, what to do if your pipes have already frozen, and how you and your plumber can prevent it from happening in the future.

Burst PipesWhen water freezes, it expands. That’s why, when a pipe freezes, it is likely to burst. Technically, this is because of the increase in water pressure following an ice blockage in a pipe. Once a pipe bursts, water can escape, which can damage your carpet, walls, furniture, electrical wiring, and floor joints, and can cause the growth of mold and mildew. Pipes that are exposed to more cold air—namely, pipes in attics or pipes located outside of your home—are of particular concern during winter.

What You Can DoIf you turn on your faucet and no water comes out, don’t take any chances—call a plumber immediately. If a pipe bursts, turn off your main water valve, which is usually at the water meter where the main water line enters the house. Once the main water valve is shut off, be sure to keep your faucets open until the plumber has completed repairs.

In order to avoid this problem over the winter, talk to your plumber early on in the cool season. Especially if you are planning on going out of town during the winter, it’s essential that you and your plumber prepare your pipes for cold weather. The most important thing to do is to shut off the main valve and drain all of the water from the system by opening up all of the faucets. A plumber can also add insulation or even relocate your pipes if necessary.

Preventative plumbing this winter could save you thousands of dollars in water damage repairs. For expert plumbing services in the Chicago area, call Bishop Plumbing at (847) 960-3698.

If you’d like to learn more about winterization, plumbing maintenance, and fixture installation, check out the helpful links below. Call Bishop Plumbing at (847) 960-3698 for professional plumbing services in the Chicago area.

Garbage disposals are designed to be tough and durable, but homeowners may occasionally experience jams, clogs, and other garbage disposal issues. If problems do occur, try saving a few dollars by fixing your disposal yourself.

This quick video includes some helpful pointers on how you can get your garbage disposal up and running again. You’ll also learn some signs that you’ll need professional garbage disposal repair.

Hot water heaters help provide homes with easy access to hot water. If you want to know how exactly they work and how they heat water without spreading heat throughout the rest of the house, take a look at the following video.

This clip from the Science Channel includes an in-depth look at how hot water heaters produce and contain heat inside their tanks. You’ll learn how your water heater is designed to produce heat as efficiently as possible while also minimizing standby heat loss.

If your water heater is not performing up to your expectations, contact Chicago’s Bishop Plumbing. We serve the entire Chicagoland area, including Northbrook, Arlington Heights, Glenview, and Schaumburg. Call (847) 960-3698 today to learn more about our services.

Using high-quality plumbing fixtures around the house can make your home a comfortable, healthy place. Unfortunately, homeowners waste hundreds of dollars on damaged plumbing equipment every year by attempting to make repairs and installations they don’t know how to do. If you need a toilet, faucet, or sink installed in your home, be safe and hire a plumber. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Protect Your Investment

If you’re upgrading your home’s bathroom or kitchen, you probably already know what a huge impact updating your plumbing fixtures can make. However, if you’re going to shell out several hundred dollars for plumbing fixtures for your dream kitchen or bathroom, go the extra mile and make sure those fixtures are installed properly. Avoid improperly installing or, worse yet, damaging your brand new toilets, sinks, and faucets by hiring a professional plumber.

2. Prevent Leaks

Although damage to your new plumbing fixtures is serious, damage to your home may be worse. Improperly installed sinks, toilets, or faucets can lead to serious leaks that can cause wood rot, mold growth, and warping. Additionally, improper installation methods can actually conceal leaks that may develop, causing them to go unnoticed for much longer. Hiring a plumber ensures that your plumbing will be handled properly so that your home stays leak-free.

3. Choose Convenience

Finally, installing plumbing fixtures can be difficult and physically demanding. Make life easier for yourself by hiring a plumber to install your new toilet, sink, or faucet for you. Not only will you have the peace of mind of having a high-quality installation, but also won’t even have to break a sweat!

In addition to protecting the plumbing in your home, it’s also important to protect the plumbing outside. This includes your home’s irrigation system, which lies dormant through the long, chilly winter. Having your irrigation system winterized by a professional plumber will help to ensure quick irrigation startup in the spring and minimize the number of leaks and breakages throughout the rest of the year. Here’s some basic information on what’s involved in winterizing your irrigation system.

Why Is Winterizing Your Irrigation Necessary?

The plumbing in your home is protected from the cold weather through insulation, home heating, and constant use. However, your home’s exterior irrigation system is far more susceptible to freezing over the winter: Your irrigation system isn’t insulated like indoor plumbing and is also typically made from plastic, which is weaker than the copper or PEX pipes used for your home plumbing. The smallest amount of water in plastic irrigation pipes can easily cause leaks over the winter that won’t show up until the springtime.

How Does Winterization Work?

Winterizing your irrigation system is a multistep process that involves some specialized equipment and knowledge of how plumbing and irrigation systems work. The ultimate goal in irrigation winterization is to completely force all the water out of your sprinklers using air pressure. The less water in your home’s irrigation system over the winter, the safer your irrigation system is.

Why Is a Professional Plumber Necessary?

Hiring a professional plumber to winterize your home’s plumbing system is a great idea for several reasons. First, it ensures that winterization is done properly and your plumbing is protected from freezing. Second, you’ll avoid common DIY winterization mistakes that can cause damage to your irrigation system. Finally, you’ll avoid injuries that can result from misjudging the amount of air and water pressure present in your home’s irrigation system. In short, hiring a plumber is the way to go!

To learn more about irrigation winterization, contact Bishop Plumbing today. We provide professional plumbing services throughout the entire Chicago area, including Northbrook, Glenview, Schaumburg, and Arlington Heights. Call (847) 960-3698 today for more information on our services.